Connection for lamp hanger contactors



Aug 16, 1932. A. J. THOMPSON Y CONNECTION FOR LAMP HANGER CONTACTORS Enea July 1o. 195o //llp/y MFJMINYENTOR M, de @My @ATTOMNEYJ atented Aug. 16, 1932 Y f UNITED STATES ALLISON J. THOMPSON, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO i CONNECT-10N 'ron vLAMP naissant` coNrAcToRs Application med 'Jiy io; 1930. serial No. 466,919.

My invention relates to improvements in connectors for lamp hanger contact assemblies and, particularly, to connectors for lamp hanger contactl assemblies comprising an upper stationary hanger structure adapt x ed to be mounted at an elevated point and a lower lamp carrying hanger structure adaptable for releasing latching 'engagement therewith.

The present invention has particular relation to an improved connector for contact .assemblies such as shown and described in my co-pending application Serial No. 380,- 888, led July 25,1929, to which reference may be had if desired.

The general object of the present invention is to provide an improved connector for lamp hanger contactors of the above type of such nature that, while embodying a minimum number of relatively rugged parts, it provides a means for protecting the connection from the elements, particularly Water, corrosion, dust, or the like irrespective of where the lamp hanger structure is exposed. It further contemplates the provision of a connector wherein means are provided for preventing short circuiting of the electrical current therethrough to parts other than the lamp and, at the same time, provides a means for protecting the connector that is easily removable when it is desired to have access thereto.

Further objects of the inventionwill be in part obvious and in part will appear more in detail hereinafter.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing a contactor structure embodying the features disclosed in my invention; Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the contactor structure; and Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown the part of a lamp hanger structure Vcomprising a contactor supporting arm 1 that is adapted to partly if not wholly surround an insulator body portion 2 and hold such body portion in the proper position. Y As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the insulator body portion 2 is provided with a depending annular lip or flange 2 on its lower end, this lip or flange serving to direct wateraway from the connection herein'aftenl described and to prevent leakage past theprotecting parts for the connection thaty might take place due to capillary at? traction.`` y

y r'lhe insulator body portion 2 has a metallic contacty member 3 mounted on vthe top thereof and held thereon by a screw bolt 4v passing downwardly through the V'insulator' body portion, and this metallic contact member fits within a depending bellshaped metallic contact member carried by the upper part of the lamp hanger structure. t will be understood that the metallic contact member.3 is preferably movable verticallywith relation to themetallic contact member 5 and into andout'of operative engagement therewith.' A y A i The lower end ofthe screw, bolt t provides a meanslfor'operatively connecting one end` of a' current vconducting wire 6 to the contactor 4structure,"electrical current passing through the .current contactor members 5 and 3, screw bolt Land current conducting wire 6 to. the lamp (not shown).4 Such current conducting wire' isQop'eratively connectedy to the lowermostend'of the screw bolt4 by means of a nut which bears against the under sideV of the lowermost one of a pair of washers 8 between which the end of the current condufctingewire is disposed. The upper washer 8 bears against the inner surface of an annular externallyv threaded member 9 having aI square Shank 10 adapted to iit Within` a' substantially -square opening or socket 1.1 in the. lowermost end of the insulator body portion. lAs shown in Figs. v1 and 2, a cap member 12, which l is internally' threaded. adjacent its uppermost end is adapted to cooperate with the externally threaded annular member 9 and surroundthe connection hereinbefore described between the current conducting Wire 6 and the screw'bolt 4. The

lowermost end of the member 12 isprovided with an opening 13 through which the cur.- rent conducting wire is adapted to pass. n "With` this construction,v the cap' member 12 may be placedupon the current conducting wire 6 by passing-the free endof the. wire through theopening 13 and suchcap may be i inY ing the connection between said current moved downwardly on the current conducting wire to such position as to permit free access to the end of the screw bolt 4, whereby the free end of the current conducting wire may be operatively connected to such screw bolt. Then, the cap member 12 may be moved upwardly on said wireuntil it is brought into engagement with the annular member 9 whereupon it may be rigidly secured thereto by the cooperating internal and external threads on the cap member 12 and the annular member 9.

Referring to the drawing and the preceding description, it will be iseen that I have provided a connector for a lamp hanger contactor structure of such nature that the connection between the current conducting wire and the yContactor structure will be protected at all times against bot-h 'eects of the elements, dust or the like, and, at the same time, have provided afdevice wherein suchprotection may be easily removed to permit access to be had to the connection between the current conducting wire and the Contactor structure.

What I claim is:'

l l. A connector for a lamp hanger Contact assembly comprising an insulator body portion, a supporting means therefor, current conducting means extending through said insulator body portion for connection with a current conducting line, a connection protecting means including a Cap member for covering the connection between said, current conducting member and the current conduct- Y ing line, means for'connecting said cap member and said insulator body portion, and an annular depending lip on said insulator body portion, surrounding the connection between said cap member and said insulator body portion to cut off leakage. by capillary attraction past said point of connection.

2, A connector for a lamp hanger contact assembly comprising an insulator body portion, aY supporting means therefor, current conducting means extending through said insulator body portion for connection with a current conducting line, a connectionprotecting means including a cap member for coverconducting member andg the current conducting.4 line, means for connecting said cap member and said insulator body portion 1neluding a socket in said insulator body portion` and: a member adapted to intert with said socket having means thereon for connecting said member and said cap member, and a depending lip on said insulator body portion surrounding the connection between said member adaptedv to interfit with saidsocket and said cap member to out oif leakage by capillary attraction past said connecting point.

' 3.- A connector foralamphanger Contact` assembly c omlgrising l an insulator body portion, a supporting means therefor, a contact member secured to one end of said insulator body portion, current conducting means having connection with said contact member and extending through said insulator body pori' tion with a part thereof extending beyond said insulator body portion forv connection with a current conducting line, a connection protectingV means including a cap member for e Covering the connection between said current nature. e

ALLISON .I. THOMPSON, 

